Java Enjoying the View of the Sespe Wilderness from Pine Mountain Ridge 

A Wonderfully Wild Place - The Sespe

Wild heights, wild winds, wild depths, wild
temperatures and perhaps wild hearts as well or, "What
Java and I did this past weekend".

As you may have noticed I've been spending most of my
time outdoors, in my nearest wilderness area; The
Sespe. It is a broad and diverse swath of the much
larger Los Padres National Forest. This past weekend
Java and I traveled the Reyes Peak Trail from Reyes
Peak Campground to the intersection of the Piedra
Blanca Trail.

Because I've explored much of the surrounding area I
thought I knew what to expect; dry grasses, thick
brush, the usual ubiquitous Chaparral - I was wrong.
Instead we found a soothing Alpine environment marked
by numerous sandstone rock features, and old growth
pines. Most trees were easily 5 - 7 feet in diameter
and almost all were higher than all but the tallest
building in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, 100 -
150 ft high. The height of many trees were limited
only by stunted growth due to the winds that whip
across their tops along the extensive ridge that we
traversed.

From atop that ridge we were privileged to views that
extended for 50 - 60 miles and beyond. On the return
trip we even observed the top of Santa Cruz Island,
floating above a sea of clouds - A solitary peak
isolated from is neighboring islands, whose locations
were enshrouded by the marine layer underneath.

Fallen trees, fallen pine cones, and small spindly
stakes of white flowers were everywhere; as where
large numbers of blue, brown, yellow and red feathered
birds as well. While I found the avian population of
greatest interest, Java generally was most intrigued
by the various squirrels and chipmunks we encountered.

The trail consisted of a unobtrusive narrow footpath,
that at times was at times highly discern-able, while
at others barely distinguishable under a carpet of
pine needles and overgrown flowers and immature brush,
including thorny bramble in spot that mercilessly dug
into my shins.

After we reached Haddock Peak, we descended a
relatively steep ~ 1400 ft, to Haddock campground on
the Piedra Blanca Trail (National Recreation Trail).
The campsite was a bit too developed for my taste, and
was too close the slow running stream nearby that had
plenty on late season mosquitoes. Instead, we found a
secluded level spot up the trail at 6240 ft., and I
set up camp.

In addition to the underestimating what to expect on
the trail I under estimated how cold it would get. I
had too few layers of clothing, a too light sleeping
bag, and a too breezy tarp for protection for the just
slightly above freezing temperatures that we
encountered.

The temperatures dropped from the afternoon near 65
degrees to a cold 33 degrees before dawn. During the
night, after each trip to answer nature's call, I did
jumping jacks, and ran in place to elevate my core
temperature before jumping back into my bag. Even
still, I did not fully evade the night's chill.
However, it being cold was not without its benefits -
the night sky was crystal clear night and moonless,
which made for some fantastic star gazing through an
opening in the canopy above - It was great!

After our explorations this weekend I've come to think
of the the Sespe Wilderness as a smaller, much more
accessible counterpart to the infinitely grander
Sierra Neveda. Although substantially less
prestigious than other better known wilderness areas,
the Sespe Wilderness is still equally endearing and
every bit as rewarding. Java and I were certainly
gratified by our recent explorations.

Trip Summary - 2 Days, 1 night. Moderately strenuous
~12 mile hike. Total ascent 3000 ft. Max Elevation
7500 ft.

I'm loving life and hope you are too! Take care.

-Manny

South Facing Ridgeline of Simi Peak 

A Great Weekend - Hillsides and Mountain Ridges

Hi. everyone.

This past weekend Java and I explored the hillsides in
and around Westlake Village. Saturday we traversed
the Hillcrest Open Space Preserve a small island of
undeveloped land in the midst of a area characterized
by heavily populated communities. From the trailhead
a short, but steep ascent quickly rewarded us 360
degree views of the heavily populated corridor along
the 101 freeway as well as the southwest end of the
Simi Valley to the North and Oak Park to the East. We
hiked a meandering 7+ miles up and down a broad old
fire road down into canyon folds, and to additional
peaks with impressive views of the surrounding
mountain ranges.

On Sunday, we returned to the area and hiked the aptly
named Sandstone Hills Trail. Immediately noticeable
after the first 100 yards frotmt he trail head was an
improvement in the quality of the trail and terrain
versus our prior day of exploration - The trail was
well maintained, and much more secluded. Each bend
and rise in the trail greeted us with new and unique
views of nearby Simi Peak, the Santa Monica mountain
range, and the many ridge lines of the distant Sespe
Wilderness. Although several variations are possible,
our route was only a moderate, approximately 7 miles;
best described by a short summary of what we saw:
Pebbles, rocks, boulders; ants, bees, birds, hawks...
Mounds, hills, mountains; grasses, bushes, trees...
Breezes, gusts, winds... A short list of the many
small and large wonders we encountered this weekend.

I'm loving life and hope you are too! Take care.

-Manny

Charmlee Park - Boulder & Oak Stand 

Big Momma, Sespe, Charmlee and Arroyo Sequit... Wheww!

Hi everyone hope you are doing well. I thought I'd
write and share some of the fun Java and I have been
having recently.

Two weekends ago I was the lone Ceja representative
amongst the Castaneda clan at Lake Camanche, East of
Stockton, in central California. A very nice place -
Julio, Michael: You guys missed out on all the food,
drinks and fun in the sun!

While at Lake Camanche, Big Momma my cousin Carlo's
large, boat-pulled water lounger, put a big hurt on
several us - Perhaps me the most :-( How? Well the
top speed of his boat was at or above 25+ mph, and my
other cousin, Enrique, was determined to toss everyone
off the lounger - Which he did successfully, again and
again. The experience was like being pushed off a
moving car at 25+ mph then slamming onto the ground -
Ouch. That's what it felt like! After 6-7 falls, and
what felt like a mild concussion, I threw in the towel
and climbed aboard the boat - Carlos rode out all but
one attempt from Enrique to shake him from Big Momma -
Needless to say I have Big Respect for Big Momma! in
contract successfully getting up on the water skis was
much more enjoyable.

Last weekend Java and I had fun getting to know the
Sespe Wilderness better on one of its many trails -
The aptly named Sespe Trail. We went on a 8+ mile out
and back hike with great views of the now low volume
creek, many peaks and bluffs; the most interesting of
which was Thor's Peak.

This weekend we spend time tramping around the Santa
Monica mountains, at Charmlee Park, and Arroyo Sequit
Park. Charmlee Park was, as the name might suggest;
charming - Its western border gives you a 360 degree
view of the Malibu Coast, and the various peaks of the
Santa Monica national Recreation Area: Sandstone Peak
and Boney Mountain. There are numerous trails that
criss-cross the park amongst grassy meadows, and
numerous rock outcroppings, hillsides and Oak groves.
Arroyo Sequit Park was more sedate, but offered nice
canyon hiking in the shadow of the Sandstone Peak
ridge. Both parks were moderately easy, peaceful
places to stretch our legs.

Take care and stay well - I'm loving life and hope you
are too!

-Manny